Oil-treating apparatus



Nov. 11, 1930. J. J. FEARIS OIL TREATING APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 25, 1926 Nov. 11, 1930. J. J. FEARIS OIL TREATING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 25, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 gwvanto o J. J. Fcaris Patented Nov. 11, 1930 UNETE STATES JAMES J. FEARIS, OF SIEACKOVER, ARKANSAS oft-TREATING APPARATUS Application filed'Fe'bruary 25, 1926. eriaI No. 90,602.

The purpose of the inventionis'to provide an apparatus particula'rly adapted for break ing the wateremulsion-iin crude oil by the application of heat with a minimum of evapzufi oration due to the cooling surface being small as compared with the heating surface; to pro vide construction" reqtr'i'ring comparatively emu ground space and susceptible of economical housing; to provide an apparatus in e which the treating process may be carried on continuously at a" maximum capacity with the periodic dissolution and ejection of the sediment ordinarily so deleterious in its effects; and to provide aconstrue'tion consisting of a plurality of individualun'its which may be added tofrom time to time as increased capacitymay demand.-

With this purpose in view, the invention consists in a construction and combination of 20 parts of which a preferred embodiment is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure l is a central vertical sectional view showing a two-unit apparatusembodying the invention. 7 v

Figure 2 is an enlarged detail sectional view of an endof the treater tank to more clearly show the construction and attachment'of the header. I

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view of the condenser to which the oil i's'transferred after treaitment and prior-re its delivery to the stock tan v In the illustrated embodiment of the inven tion there is shown one unit consisting of two treating tanks" connected in series. These tanks are in the form of drums 10 closed at the upper and loweriends by means of headers 11, tubes 12 extending longitudinally of the tanks and communicating with the headers at their extremities. Inthis construction, the tubes with the connected headers constitute one of the elements and the drum itself the other element alternately functioning as the mediums for the reception of the heating agent and the product in the operation of the apparatus.

The invention being designed for the treatment o-fioibby the application 0t heat, it is the purpose to use steam as the heating medium. This steam in saturated form is delivered through the pipe or conductor 14 to the superheater 1:; which consists preferably of a drum surmounting a brick furnace 16 in which the heat producing agent is preferably a gas fire. The superheater' is provided with the vertical flues 17 opening at their lower ends to the fire in the furnace and at their upper ends into the smokestack 18. The saturated steam is preferably delivered at the lower end of the superheater and carried off at the upper end of the latter through the pipe 19 which communicates with the upper headers 11 of both treating units, as bythe branches 20 and'21.

A pipe 22 connects with the branch 20 of the first treating unit and extends to the lower end of thedrum' 10 of the second treating unit, a branch 23 extending from the pipe 22 to the lower header 11 oi the second treating unit; A branch 24 connects the pipe 22 with the upper end of the drum 10 of the first treating unit, there being a second branch 25 connectingrespectively at its ends with the branches 20 and 24. Between the point of connection of the branch 25 and the pipe 22 with the branch 20, there is disposed a valve 26, the pipe22 havinga valve '27 interpesedin it disposedadjaiceiit the oint of connection with the branch 20. The branch connection 24 carriesa valve 28- between the branch 25 and the 'pipe 22 and the former is provided with a'va-lve 29 disposed adjacent the branch 24.

This system of connections is duplicated at the upper end of the second treating unit, the pipe 22 which connects with the branch 21 and conveys the treated product to the condenser having the branch 24 connecting with the upper end of the drum 1O of-the second treating unit. The second branch 25' connects with the branch 21 and branch 24'. These branches are respectively provided with the valves 26, 27, 28 and 29.

In the branch 23 connecting the pipe 22 with the lower header 11 of the second treating unit, there is carried a valve 3O ,'the ipe 22 having a valve 31 between its point of connection with the branch 23 and the point where it communicates with the drum of the second treating unit. The first treating unit at the lower end has a similar set of connections consisting of the branch 2-3 terminall connected with the lower header of the first treating unit and with a pipe or conductor 32 into which the untreated oil delivered.

The pipe or conductor 32 communicates with the drum of the first treating unit at the lower end of the latter and carries a valve 31 disposed between the drum and its point of connection with the branch 23, this branch 23 carrying a valve similarly disposed as is the valve 30 in the branch The drums 10 of the first and second treating units are respectively provided with exhaust steam tubes 33 and 34 provided with he control valves 35 and 36. Similarly the branches 23 and 23 are provided with the steam exhaust tubes 37 and 38 controlled by valves 37 and 38.

The construction of the headers of the drums 10 is clearly indicated in detail in Figure 2. The tubes 12 are terminally connected with the tube sheets 39 to which they are rolled and beaded preferably with copper ferrules. The tube sheets rest upon and are connected, preferably by welding, with the peripheral flanges 40 of the drums. The concave headers 11 are bolted to the flanges 40, as indicated at 41, a hydraulic packing 42 being interposed between the flanges of the headers and the tube sheets. In each of the treating units, the tubes together with their headers are volumetrically equal to the space within the drums exterior to the tubes. This because the tubes and headers at one time function as the medium for the circulation of the heating agent and at another time for the circulation of the product being treated, the drums also alternately performing these functions. By reason of this arrangement, the sediment formed of salt, sulphur and other minerals left from the water evaporated from the oil is periodically subjected to the action of the heating agent consisting of steam and is therefore dissolved and ejected.

The untreated oil delivered by the bad oil pump (not shown) is transferred through the pipe 32 to the drum 10 of the first treating unit, if the valve 31 be open. The (hr livery of the oil to the drum means that the tubes and headers must be emoloyed as a circulating medium for the heating agent and therefore the valve 30 should be closed as well as the valves 27 and 29 disposed re spectively in the pipe 22 and branch Since the oil is delivered to the drum. it must be withdrawn from the drum and therefore the valve 28 should be open. Thus, the drum of the first treating unit is placed in can munication at its upper end with the pipe 22 and the product, after having passed through the first 0* '"ing unit, is delivered the sec- 0nd tree... 5: unit at the lower end of the letter. If the valve 31 be open so that the oil is delivered to the drum the second treating unit, the valve 30 must he closed, and similarly the valves 27 and 29 must be closed and the valve 28 open; therefore, after h ving passed through the second treating unit, the oil will pass down throu h the pipe 22 and on to the condenser later described.

With the oil circulating through the drums, the heating agent consisting of superheated steam must circulate through the headers 11 and tubes 12. Therefore, the valve 26 in the branch 20 will be open, thus placing the pipe 19 in communication with the upper header of the first treating unit. Similarly the valve 26' must be open to effect communication between the pipe 19 and the upper header of the second treating unit. The steam will therefore pass into the upper header of both treating units and down through the tubes to the lower headers thereof, from which it is exhausted through the exhaust pipes 37 and 38 connected with the branches 23 and 23 respectively. The valves 37 and 38 will, of course, at this time be open to permit the exhaust of the steam while the valves 35 and 36 will be closed to prevent any loss of the product being treated.

As was said above, the evaporation of the water results in a deposit of a sediment from its impurities and this will adhere to the interior surfaces of the drums l0 and to the exterior surfaces of the tubes 12. After a prescribed run with the product circulating through the drums and the heating agent circulating through the tubes, the cycle of operations is reversed so that the product may be circulated through the tubes and headers and the heating agent circulated through the drums. This change in the manner of operation is readily and quickly performed. The valve 31 is closed but the valve 30 opened. This places the pipe 32 in communication with the lower header of the first treating unit through the branch 23, and the product will therefore enter the lower header of the first treating unit and rise through the tubes to the upper header thereof, from which it passes to the pipe 22, the valve 26 in the branch 20 having been closed and the valve 2? opened and the valve 28 closed. Reaching the pipe 22, it passes to the lower header of the second treating unit through the branch 23 of which the valve 30 has been opened, communication between the pipe 22 and the drum 10 of the second unit having been out oil by the closing of the valve 31. Rising from the lower header of the second treating unit, it reaches the upper header thereof and passes into the pipe 22, the valves 26 and 28 having been closed and the valve 2? opened. From the pipe 22, it passes on to the condenser. This change of the path of circulation of the product must be attended with the closing of the valves 37 and 38 in the exhaust pipes or tubes to prevent the escape of the product. The valves 35 and 36 must at the same time be opened to permit the escape of the exhaust steam which at this time is delivered into the drums 10 which it reaches through the branches 25 and 25 in which the valves 29 and 29 have been opened. The steam is exhausted from the drums through the pipes or tubes 33 and 34.

The drums are preferably supported on detachable legs 43 designed to engage socket plates 44 secured to the drums, the legs being bolted to the foundation, as indicated at 45.

The treated oil having left the treating units is transferred to the condenser of which the receiving tank 47 is provided with a dome 48, communication between which and the tank 47 is effected by means of a low pressure safety valve 49. Disposed in the dome and above the safety valve is an umbrella baffle 50 directly above the apex of which is disposed a steam discharge 51. A strainer 52 is interposed between the baffle 50 and the discharge 51 and consists of a quantity of screen wire designed to strain the vapors and retain within the dome any moisture contained therein. Delivery to the receiving tank 47 is through the pipe 22, the product being under pressure, and the discharge end of the pipe 22 is disposed centrally of the tank 47, the terminal being deflected downwardly and of conical form, as shown at 52. An umbrella baffle 53 is disposed directly above the discharge and prevents the splashing of the fluid upward but allows the steam to pass which escapes into the dome through the low pressure safety valve 19. The treated oil which drops to the bottom of the tank 47 is conveyed to stock tanks by the gravity line 54 after having passed through the trap 55.

The headers 11 and tubes 12 of each treating unit constitute one receptacle and the interior space within the tanks 10 exterior of the tubes constitutes the other of the duality of chambers which each treating unit com prises. As above stated, these receptacles are volumetrically equal, so that when they are alternately used for the circulation of the heating agent and the circulation of the product, the same physical conditions with respect to the treatment of the oil exists. Thus. the sediment that results from one cycle of operations is dissipated in the next. Thus, each treating unit is always kept free of sediment with its deleterious effects and the valves providing for the selective change of functions make it possible to alternate the paths of the product and the heating agent without any stoppage of the treating operation. Also, the oil being completely enclosed during the treating operation, irrespective of through which chamber it is circulated, the heat radiating space is reduced to a minimum and thus the operating cost is" comparatively low. Also, the oil is not subject to pollution from extraneous matter, as in the open vat process particularly. Further, the arrangement of the treating units in the present form provides for the addition of new units when increased capacity demands and also for the economical housing, and furthermore the tire hazard by this construction is reduced to a minimum as there is no opportunity for oil vapors to arise.

The invention having been described, what is claimed as new and useful is:

1. Apparatus for heating oils to remove water therefrom comprising a pair of receptacles disposed in heat exchange relation both of which are designed for the reception of a substance to be treated and a heating agent, intake and discharge conductors for oil each in communication with both of said receptacles and respectively at the lower and upper ends of each, a heating agent conductor in communication with both of said receptacles at their upper ends, and valve controlled exhaust conductors for said heating agent eonnecting with said receptacles at their lower ends, the intake and delivery conductors being provided with valves for selective use to direct the oil into and out of either receptacle, and the heating agent conductor having selective valves for the direction of the heating agent into either receptacle.

2. Apparatus for heating oils to remove water therefrom comprising a plurality of spaced units each of which is provided with a substance receiving receptacle and a heating agent receptacle disposed in heat exchange relation, a heating agent conductor in communication with both receptacles of each unit and provided with valves for operatively connecting it with either receptacle of either unit, discharge means for said heating agent, and intake and delivery conductors for oil having selectively controlled valved connections with both receptacles of each unit, the delivery connections of adjacent 1 units being common and also the intake connections of adjacent units being common.

3. Apparatus for heating oils to remove water therefrom comprising a plurality of spaced treating units of which each has a duality of receptacles disposed in heat exchange relation, a conductor pipe for delivering oil to the lower end of either receptacle of the first treating unit, a steam conductor connected with the upper end of both receptacles of all units, discharge means for said steam, a conductor for supplying oil, connected to either receptacle of the first unit, a conductor for receiving oil from either receptacle of the last unit, a condenser connected with F the conductor for receiving oil from the last treating unit, conductors inter-connecting the units for alternating the function of the receptacles of each unit, and a. superheater disposed adjacent the first unit and in communication with said steam conductor, and suitable valves in each of the conductors for controlling the supply or discharge.

4. Apparatus for heating oils to remove water therefrom comprising a duality of receptacles disposed in heat exchange relation to each other, each being provided with means for connection to a source of supply of a heating agent and a substance to be treated and valved controlled conductors connected to said means for connection for selectively directing the substance into either receptacle and directing the heating agent into the other receptacle.

5. Apparatus for heating oils to remove water therefrom comprising a duality of receptacles disposed in heat exchange relation to each other, each being provided with means for connection to a source of supply of a heating agent and a substance to be treated and valved controlled conductors connected to said means for connection for selectively directing the substance into either receptacle and directing the heating agent into the other receptacle, said receptacles being volumetrically equal.

6. Apparatus for heating oils to remove water therefrom comprising a duality of receptacles disposed in heat exchange relation to each other, each being provided with means for connection to a source of supply of a heatting agent and a substance to be treated and valved controlled conductors connected to said means for connection for selectively directing the substance into either receptacle and directing the heating agent into the other receptacle, one of said receptacles substantial- 1y enclosing the other.

7. Apparatus for heating oils to remove water therefrom comprising a duality of receptacles disposed in heat exchange relation to each other, each being provided with means for connection to a source of supply of a heating agent and a substance to be treated, and valved controlled conductors connected to said means for connection for selectively directing the substance into either receptacle and directing the heating agent into the other receptacle, one of said receptacles substantial ly enclosing the other, and said receptacles being volumetrically equal.

8. Apparatus for heating oils to remove water therefrom comprising a plurality of spaced units of which each is provided with a substance receptacle and a heating agent receptacle disposed in heat exchange relation to each other, a conductor connecting both receptacles of both units to a source of supply of the heating agent, discharge means for said heating agent, and a conductor connected with both receptacles of the first unit and a substance supply source to be treated, operative connections between adjacent units whereby the substance receiving receptacles are connected in cascade and the heating agent receptacles are connected in parallel, and discharge conductors for the two receptacles of the final unit, and valve means on each of said conductors for selectively controlling said conductors.

9. Apparatus for heating oils to remove water therefrom consisting of a plurality of units in spaced relation of which each comprises a duality of receptacles disposed in heat exchange relation, the initial unit having conductors connecting both receptacles thereof to a source of substance to be treated and both receptacles of the plurality of units having conductors connected with a heating agent supply source, discharge means for said heating agent, the final unit having substance discharge conductors for both receptacles, and conductors inter-connecting each receptacle of each adjacent unit, all of said conductors being provided with valves for selective control to direct the substance through either receptacle of the several units and simultaneously direct the heating agent through the other receptacle of the several rnits. the substance receptacles being always in cascade and the heating agent receptacles in parallel.

10. Apparatus for heating oils to remove Water therefrom comprising a plurality of spaced units each of which includes a duality of receptacles disposed in heat exchange relation, both receptacles of each unit connected with a source of supply of a heating agent and both receptacles of the first unit connected with the source of the substance to be treated, selective control means for directing the substance to be treated into either receptacle of any of the plurality of units and additional control means for directing the heating agent into the other receptacles of each of the plurality of units, and discharge means for said units for exhausting residues formed by the treatment of said oil simultaneously with the heating agent.

11. Apparatus for heating oils to remove water therefrom comprising a plurality of spaced units each of which includes a duality of receptacles disposed in heat exchange relation, both receptacles of each unit connected with a source of supply of a heating agent and both receptacles of the first unit connected with the source of the substance to be treated. selective control means l' or directing the substance to be treated into either receptacle of any of the plurality of units and additional control means for directing the heating agent into the other receptacle thereof, and selectively controlled conductors connected with both receptacles of each of the plurality of units, and discharge means for said units for exhausting residues formed by the treatment of said oil simultaneously with the heating agent, one

of said receptacles substantially enclosed by the other.

12. Apparatus for heating oils to remove Water therefrom comprising a plurality of spaced units each of which includes a duality of receptacles disposed in heat exchange relation, both receptacles of each unit connected with a source of supply of a heating agent and both receptacles of the first unit connected with the source of the substance to be treated, selective control means for directing the substance to be treated into either receptacle of any of the plurality of units and additional control means for directing the heating agent into the other receptacle thereof, and selectively controlled conductors connected with both receptacles of each of the plurality of units and discharge means for said units for exhausting residues formed by the treatment of said oil simultaneously with the heating agent, one of said receptacles substantially enclosed by the other, and both receptacles being volumetrically equal.

13. Apparatus for heating oils to remove water therefrom comprising a duality of receptacles disposed in heat exchange relation to each other, both receptacles having selectively controlled connections to a heating agent source of supply and both receptacles having selectively controlled connection to a substance source of oil supply whereby either receptacle may be connected to the heating agent supply source and the other receptacle connected to the substance source of supply, a selectively controlled conductor connected with both receptacles for exhausting the residues from the treatment of the oil with the heating agent from either receptacle and one of said receptacles substantially enclosing the other, and discharge means for said oil after treatment.

14. Apparatus for heating oils to remove water therefrom comprising a duality of receptacles disposed in heat exchange relation to each other, both receptacles having selectively controlled connections to a heating agent source of supply and both receptacles having selectively controlled connection to a substance source of oil supply whereby either receptacle may be connected to the heating agent supply source and the other receptacle connected to the substance source of supply, a selectively controlled conductor connected with both receptacles for exhausting the residues from the treatment of the oil with the heating agent from either receptacle and one of said receptacles substantially enclosing the other, discharging means for said oil after treatment, both receptacles being substantially equal in volume.

In testimony whereof he affixes his signature.

JAMES J. FEARIS. 

